The legendary talk show host, 87, appeared during the April 26 episode to determine whether the Slutty Vegan founder had secretly been eating meat

NEED TO KNOW

• Maury Povich made a surprise appearance during the April 26 episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta
• He came in to squash a rumor about cast member Pinky Cole’s vegan lifestyle
• The Slutty Vegan founder denied claims that she secretly ate meat amid a feud with Phaedra Parks

Maury Povich made an unexpected appearance on The Real Housewives of Atlanta — and brought one of his signature tests with him.

During the Sunday, April 26 episode of the Bravo reality series, the longtime TV host popped in to help settle a debate involving newcomer Aisha “Pinky” Cole Hayes and her castmates: whether the vegan entrepreneur had secretly been eating meat.

The moment stemmed from a disagreement between Pinky, founder of the popular plant-based chain Slutty Vegan, and fellow Housewife Phaedra Parks.

During a charity event hosted by Pinky, the entrepreneur said to her castmates that Phaedra was "telling people I eat meat," which Phaedra denied. Their costar Shamea Morton chimed in saying she heard the rumor from Phaedra.

"No I did not," Phaedra told Shamea. "I remember telling you Pinky had lots of accolades and one was owning a Jamaican restaurant."

The show cuts to a confessional with Shamea who said, "I swear I thought the lady told me that Pinky eat meat." Then, a clip rolls from Shamea and Phaedra's prior phone conversation, in which Phaedra said: "Before [Pinky] started this vegan stuff, that girl used to have a Jamaican restaurant serving meat, honey."

Pinky pushed back, firmly denying the accusation. "I am plant-based,” she said before making a not-suitable-for-work joke.

She also revealed, "I was a producer for the Maury show, so I got a lie detector test in my back pocket. And I'm like, 'Do I need to pull it out?'"

Shortly after, Povich, 87, appeared virtually. “In my hand, I have the results of your vegan lie detector test,” he announced. “Pinky, when it comes to the accusation that you’ve been secretly eating meat… the lie detector test says… that was a lie.”

He added, “Pinky, you’re still a vegan.”

“Thank you, Maury,” Cole Hayes responded with a wink.

Pinky joined RHOA in season 17, bringing both her business story and personal life into the spotlight. In earlier episodes, she opened up about the challenges of rebuilding her Slutty Vegan empire.

Founded in 2018 as a delivery concept, the brand quickly grew to encompass food trucks and later brick-and-mortar locations, gaining attention for the menu item's cheeky names.

At its peak, the company reportedly reached a $100 million valuation. But rapid expansion also came with financial strain. In March 2026, Pinky filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Georgia, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. The filing lists more than $1.3 million in total debts, including approximately $1.2 million owed to the U.S. Small Business Administration and about $192,000 in state taxes.

Despite the setbacks, Pinky has said she remains focused on rebuilding.

“I built this brand with heart and hustle,” she previously told PEOPLE. “And I’m not done yet.”

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New episodes of The Real Housewives of Atlanta air Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo. 

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